JazzInk: The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, May 9-15

Jane Monheit brings Judy Garland to the Dakota, May 13th

© Andrea Canter

Songs from an award-winning vocalist, a popular crooner and a locally acclaimed pianist; a CD release from a young lion's quartet and a dazzling duo from some even younger lions; a rare gig with a veteran trio; the opening of a four-night run of a unique collaboration among dance, jazz and South Indian tradition... just another week on the Twin Cities jazz scene.

Big Gigs This Week

Irv Williams

Friday, May 9. Happy Hour continues weekly at the Dakota (4:30- 6:30 pm) but with some change in the musical cast. Despite his threats to "retire," saxophone legend Irv Williams continues to head these free sets, but his new cohorts are guitarist Steve Blons and bassist Steve Pikal. Watch for young Joshua Jones sitting in (on sax) when he's on break from studies at Luther College.

Levi Schwartzberg

With high school graduation just a few weeks away, pianist Will Kjeer and vibraphonist Levi Schwartzberg already have a lot of gigging experience. Tonight they perform on the Jazz Police Youth Showcase at Jazz Central, dubbing themselves Traditional Grip. Expect some unique arrangements, original tunes and perhaps a 4-handed duet given Levi's keyboard skills. Will and Levi are completing a second year with the Dakota Combo and will soon head off to college jazz studies.

Nelson Devereaux, Courageous Endeavors

Not very many years beyond the Youth Stage themselves, Courageous Endeavors marks the release of their first album, Prototype, with a performance at the Icehouse (11 pm). Since their first performances about two years ago, this quartet has established itself as a creative force on the local jazz scene -- Nelson Devereaux on saxes, Joe Strachan on keyboards, Brian Courage on bass, and Miguel Hurtado on drums. Expect a late night of substantial original compositions.

Steve Kenny

Saturday, May 10. A new spot for jazz, Sweet 317 (in the Northern Building that also houses the Black Dog and art galleries) hosts Steve Kenny's Group 47, previewing music from their upcoming LP, Straight to Vinyl. Kenny on "flumpet" and Adam Tucker on bass mix it up with their very young co-conspiritors Thomas Strommen (sax), Will Kjeer (piano) and Alex Burgess (drums).

Yohannes Tona

Just around the corner at Studio Z, the Yohannes Tona Trio explores music "Made in Abyssinia" as this month's installment of Jazz at Studio . Ethiopian bassist Tona will also lead an open workshop with guitarist Geoff LeCrone and percussionist Shai Hayo an hour before the concert. These workshop/concert events provide a very user-friendly opportunity to learn about the music, whether you are a musician or serious listener.

Arne Fogel

Sunday, May 11. Take Mom to Hell! This is a special Mother's Day gig at Hell's Kitchen -- Arne Fogel with the Tanner Taylor Trio. No matter how old your mom is, chance are that she remembers the great singers of the 20th century, particularly Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, two subjects which Arne Fogel knows in great depth. And that depth comes through in every song.

Tuesday, May 13. Jane Monheit has performed in town a number of times, usually at the Dakota, but never with a theme-based show. One of the most popular vocalists on the international circuit, the honey-voice singer returns to the Dakota with "Hello Bluebird: Celebrating the Jazz of Judy Garland." To quote Jane, "I want to get away from the drama, and celebrate what we all loved about Judy...the immense joy she brought through song, and her innate understanding of jazz. She did so much more than break hearts...she put them together again...and that's what we're going to be about with this show!" Jane brings along her usual trio, with Michael Kanan on piano, Neal Miner on bass and husband Rick Montalbano on drums.

Framework

Wednesday, May 14. Boasting three of the best musical minds in the Metro, Framework (Chris Olson, guitar; Chris Bates, bass; Jay Epstein, drums) comes to Jazz Central on Chris Bates' monthly improvisation series. Among the trio is a wealth of experience in varied contexts, but with a common denominator of creative energy. If guitar trios were bookends, Framework would play opposite Red Planet-- in fact, the two bands have bass and drums in common. Different guitars, different sounds, but a similar high level of artistry.

Laura Caviani

Thursday, May 15. For years we have enjoyed pianist Laura Caviani in trio, quartet, X-Tet and orchestra configurations, playing bebop, post bop, Brazilian and original modern jazz. We've heard her accompany such vocal powerhouses as Lucia Newell and Karrin Allyson. So now, it's Laura who picks up the microphone on Jazz Central's Vocal Jazz Night, with pianist Chris Lomheim backing her first gig as jazz vocalist. We've heard Laura add vocals a few times, but this is new! And this is going to be good!

Ranee Ramaswamy (Ragamala)

Tonight in the McGuire Theater of the Walker Art Center is the opening performance (world premiere) of Song of the Jasmine, a collaboration among Ragamala Dance and jazz saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa.
This work was commissioned by the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Walker Art Center. A recent recipient of a Doris Duke Artist Award, Ragamala co-director Ranee Ramaswamy, with daughter/co-director Aparna Ramaswamy, leads the dance company moving to the music of Mahanthappa and his new ensemble (Rez Abassi on guitar, V.K. Raman on South India flute, Rajna Swaminathan on mridangam and South Indian drum, and Anjna Swaminathan on violin). Song of the Jasmine is described as an "investigation of identity that conjures the past in order to experience the power of the present," the music a fusion of traditional Carnatic music and modern jazz. Performances run through May 18.

More Jazz Every Night

Be sure to check live jazz calendars on Jazz Police and KBEM sites. Also find a growing number of events on the Jazz Near You site, a service of All About Jazz. A few more gigs of note:

Friday, May 9. Paula Lammers at Parma 8200; Sophia Shorai at Hell's Kitchen; Bryan Nichols and James Buckley, dinner sets at the Icehouse; Twin Cities Jazz Imports at the House of Pizza (Sartell, MN); Todd Harper solo piano followed by the Kronick Quartet at the Black Dog; John Paulson with Swing, Inc. at Signatures Restaurant (Winona)

Saturday, May 10. JoAnn Funk and Jeff Brueske in the Lobby Bar (Saint Paul Hotel); Benny Weinbeck Trio at Parma 8200; Viva Brasil at Loring Pasta Bar; Peter Vircks Quartet at Honey

Sunday, May 11. Tim Patrick Trio at Hell's Kitchen; New Orleans Mothers Day Brunch with Southside Aces at the Dakota; Zacc Harris Trio at Riverview Wine Bar; Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra with Charmin Michelle at Cinema Ballroom

Monday, May 12. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Brian Grivna at Jazz Central; Mancrush at the Icehouse; Twin Cities Hot Club at Famous Dave's (Uptown)

Tuesday, May 13. Cedar Ave Big Band at Jazz Central; Chris Olson Project at the Black Dog; Nova Jazz Orchestra at Minnesota Music Cafe; Roseville Big Band at Edinborough Park; Cafe Accordion at Loring Pasta Bar

Wednesday, May 14. Charmin Michelle and Denny Malmberg at Fireside Pizza; Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra at the Dakota; Wolverines Trio at Hell's Kitchen; Orange Mighty Trio at Cafe Maude

Alicia Renee and Chris Lomheim

Thursday, May 15. Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra at the Dakota; Alicia Renee and Chris Lomheim, Jazz @ Christos (Union Depot); Beasley's Big Band at Wabasha Street Caves

Coming Soon!

. May 15-18, Ragamala Dance Company and Rudresh Mahanthappa at the Walker

. May 16, Steve Kenny Quartet at the Black Dog

. May 16, Fantastic Merlins at Sweet 317

. May 16, Jazz Central All Stars at the Paramount Theater (Austin, MN)

. May 18, Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands Spring Concert at Minneapolis South High School

. May 18, Ellen Lease/Pat Moriarty with Michael Attias at Studio Z

. May 19, Jean Brice Godet with the Fantastic Merlins /Atlantis Quartet at the Icehouse

. May 19-20, Cassandra Wilson at the Dakota

. May 20, Adam Meckler Orchestra at Amsterdam Bar

. May 20, Explosion Big Band at Jazz Central

. May 22, Phil Mattson Singers at Jazz Central

. May 22, Irv Williams CD release at the Dakota

. May 22, Talking Strings at the Black Dog

. May 23, Good Vibes Trio at Jazz Central/Jazz Crew

. May 26-27, Victor Wooten at the Dakota

. May 27, Twin Cities Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central

. May 28, Dean Magraw and the Prairie Rhythm Section at the Dakota

. May 29, Bill Charlap Trio at the Dakota

. May 29, Rhonda Laurie at Jazz Central

. May 31, Jazz Central All-Stars, Palace Theater (Luverne, MN)

. June 2, Tom Rainey and Ingrid Laubrock at the Icehouse

. June 7, Jazz Central All-Stars, Hollywood Theater (Montevideo, MN)

. June 8, Jazz in the Library, Joan Griffith at St Paul Central Library

. June 14, Next Generations, Steve Kenny Group 47 Digital Release, Jazz at Studio Z

. June 14, Jazz Central All-Stars, Eagles Healing Nest (Sauk Centre, MN)

. June 15, Billy Hart Quartet with Ethan Iverson at the Dakota

. June 16-17, Maceo Parker at the Dakota

. June 18, Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion at the Dakota

. June 18, Jazz in the Library, Bryan Nichols Quartet at St Anthony Park Library

. June 24, Diane Schuur at the Dakota

. June 25, Jazz in the Library, Tres Mundos at Arlington Hills Library

. June 26-28, Twin Cities Jazz Festival (Branford Marsalis 6/27; Joe Krown, Dianne Reeves with Geoffrey Keezer 6/28; and more), Mears Park and beyond (St Paul)

. June 30, Craig Handy at the Dakota

. July 1, Nels Cline and Julian Lage at the Dakota

. July 2, Pedrito Martinez at the Dakota

. July 3-5, Iowa City Jazz Festival (Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano Us Five, Anat Cohen Quartet, Ingrid Jensen Nordic with Geoffrey Keezer, Jared Gold, Pedrito Martinez)

. July 7-8, Bill Frisell Quartet (Greg Leisz, Tony Scherr and Kenny Wollesen) at the Dakota

. July 10, All Originals Jazz series, The Illicit Sextet at Studio Z

. July 17, All Originals Jazz series, Courageous Endeavors at Studio Z

, July 17, Jazz Central All-Stars, St. James Memorial Park Band Shell (St. James, MN)

. July 24, All Originals Jazz series, Zacc Harris Group at Studio Z

. July 31, All Originals Jazz series, Red Planet at Studio Z